Blackbird Airpark is a private 12,000 square foot museum at Edwards Air Force Base that features 8,500 square feet of interesting displays and exhibits, a research library, a 40-seat theater, administrative offices, and a gift shop. Exhibits in the museum cover a wide range of topics from the story of Glen Edwards, the base’s namesake and flight-testing during WWII to the formation of the ancient lake beds and early homesteading in the area, high-speed flight, and breaking the sound barrier. Other museum attractions include displays of airplane models, rocket engines, and flight hardware, and the gift shop sells a variety of aeronautical-related souvenirs and gifts.
On the north-eastern edge of Palmdale is the United States Air Force Plant 42, where many of the US Air Force’s aircraft have been manufactured and tested since the 30s. You don’t need to be an aviation enthusiast to enjoy the Joe Davies Airpark, which showcases Plant 42’s remarkable heritage. Free to the public, the display comprises 21 planes that have come through Plant 42. Craft here include a Convair B-58A Hustler, a Lockheed F-104A Starfighter and Northrop X-4, all from the early years of jet aviation after the Second World War. A newer addition is the state-of-the-art F-22 Raptor, introduced in 2005.
Built in 1990 this giant mall is Palmdale’s premier shopping destination, also featuring a 16-screen cinema complex. In all there are 140 stores and services at the Antelope Valley Mall, and the five anchor stores are Macy’s, JC Penney, Sears, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Forever 21. A day of shopping can be hungry work, so the mall has a varied food court, as well as a “restaurant row” with sit-down eateries like Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Arby’s.
If you’re stuck for ideas for younger family members Palmdale has a branch of the Mulligan Family Fun Center. Attractions like this can be found in towns across the USA, and wherever they are, young kids and teenagers can spend hours diving into all sorts of activities. All in one attraction you’ll find video arcades, batting cages, lazer tag, mini-golf and a rock-climbing wall. A new amusement for smaller children is the Mulligan Ropes Course, a three-storey high safe play area with challenging obstacles like rope bridges.
Open for tours Thursday to Sunday, Transplants Brewing Company has assembled a band of beer experts from across the country to produce Palmdale’s only craft beers. The brewing company comes out with a range of weird and wonderful ales, such as Cumber Some, wheat ale with strong notes of cucumber, of all things. Filbert meanwhile is brewed with hazelnut and chocolate, and Black Bayou is a dark ale enriched with roasted coffee beans. The tasting area here is a congenial bar with an open seating area, and you’re free to bring your own lunch or dinner from local take-outs to enjoy here with a glass of craft beer.
Lucky Luke Brewing is a locally owned and operated brewery that focuses on producing handcrafted quality craft beer for the surrounding community. The brewery boasts a 10-barrel brewing system comprised of a natural gas direct fired hot liquor tank and kettle, and a fully insulated mash tun with an ever-growing 60-barrel cellaring capacity. Lucky Luke Brewing is committed to sustainable brewing practices and utilizes special water-saving equipment. Signature brews include the Impresario – an American IPA, the Millwright, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, the Cartographer, a rye beer, the Mortician – a black/Cascadian dark ale, and the Scrivener – a blonde ale. Lucky Luke Brewing is open seven days a week at various hours.
Palmdale isn’t an area known for its golf, but is still home to a PGA -class public course. The oasis-like greenery of Rancho Vista contrasts perfectly with the vast desert scenery all around, and many tees have inspiring views of the distant mountains. The 18-hole course was designed by Ted Robinson, a golf architect responsible for 160 courses from America to South Korea. After a round you can tuck into a meal at the course’s restaurant, which also has a terrace with elevated vistas of the course and desert beyond.